Monday 25 July 2016 18:13, UK
Newcastle Falcons have tied down captain Will Welch and back row colleague Mark Wilson to long-term deals.
The forward pair, both of whom rose through the Newcastle academy, have signed new four-year contracts that will keep them at the club until the end of the 2019-20 season.
Newcastle finished just one place above the Aviva Premiership relegation zone last season and securing the long-term future of the homegrown pair is a huge boost for the club according to director of rugby Dean Richards.
"It is a massive endorsement of what we are doing that two of our top players have chosen to commit for this length of time, and Will and Mark typify everything we are about as a club," Richards told the club's official website.
"They are from our area, they have a tremendous work ethic and they have got to where they are in the game through sheer determination.
"Both of them are respected right around the Aviva Premiership as consistent top-quality players and I am sure our supporters share our delight at the fact they will be with us for the long term."
Welch became the club's youngest ever captain at the age of 22, having made his Falcons debut at just 17, and led the club to the Premiership title in his first season as skipper.
The 26-year-old, who has already made 110 Premiership appearances for the Falcons, believes it is essential for the club to keep hold of players like Wilson.
"Newcastle Falcons are my home town club," said Welch. "I supported them as a kid, I always wanted to play for the Falcons and I just want to help them be as successful as they can be."
"In order for that to happen we need the likes of Mark Wilson to be staying, and it is great that he will be here for the long term.
"We were both probably in similar situations when it came to making the decision, but I always knew I would beat myself up if I moved on and the Falcons were successful without me. I love Newcastle, I want to be here and I enjoy the challenge of trying to push us up the league table."
Welch admitted the squad have had to deal with a number of departures in recent years but maintaining a consistent squad can see them rise up the table next season.
"I also think it's important for our supporters to know that guys are prepared to stay when they have come through the academy here and made good progress in the first team," he added.
"That hasn't always been the case in the past, we have had to cope with guys moving on but it is a sign of where things are going that people want to stay here on a longer-term basis. The team will benefit from that consistency of personnel, and when you look at the clubs who have done well in the game it is generally the ones who can retain their core group over a number of years who succeed."
Wilson, 26, finished last season with more tackles than any other Premiership player and the flanker said the club's desire to improve on last season's 11th-place finish helped convince him to stay.
"I had a good chat with Dean Richards and our chairman Semore Kurdi," said Wilson. "They expressed their ambition for the Falcons and I genuinely feel like this is my home, so I want to carry on here and help the club to keep improving.
"I have been here for a long time so I am in a good position to say how far the club has already come. I feel valued here, I am playing rugby with my best mates and every single person here shares the same determination to climb the Aviva Premiership table."
